Counsel

Important messages

The Federal Public Service is stronger and most effective when we reflect the diversity of the Canadian population we serve. PPSC is dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of Canadian society where everyone feels they belong. All candidates in the area of selection who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialized and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

Set yourself up for success! As the objective of this process is to assess qualifications needed for the position(s) to be staffed, let us know if you have a functional limitation or disability, which may affect your participation. For example, you may contact us if you need assistance in completing and submitting your application. Should you proceed to a future assessment stage, such as an exam or interview, we will send you an e-mail with additional information and you can determine if you may require an accommodation at that time (such as a different test format, an adaptive technology, or additional time). Assessment accommodations are designed to remove the obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that candidates with functional limitations can fully demonstrate their abilities.

If you require an accommodation during any phase of this assessment process, please use the Contact information below to request accommodation. All information received in relation to your accommodation will be kept confidential and your right to privacy will be protected.

If you are unable to submit your application before the closing date, please do not hesitate to contact Rachel Gates-Flaherty by email at .

Duties

Prosecutors play a key role in the Canadian criminal justice system. As Counsel at the PPSC, you will conduct criminal prosecutions on behalf of the Director of Public Prosecutions on many significant and complex cases related to drugs, organized crime, terrorism, money laundering, human trafficking, war crimes, and so on. You will quickly gain a breadth of knowledge and experience as you work on a variety of prosecutions. Unlike in private practice, where little time is spent in court, prosecutors can go to court every day. You can acquire immediate trial experience that many private litigators must wait years to get.

Joining the Public Prosecution Service of Canada will be a transformative experience, both professionally and personally.

Work environment

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) is a federal government organization responsible for the prosecution of criminal offenses under federal jurisdiction. Our organization consists of approximately 1000 employees in regional offices across the country who all play a key role in strengthening Canada’s criminal justice system. The PPSC handles the prosecution of all Criminal Code offences in the territories as well as offences under all other federal legislation, such as the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, and the Fisheries Act.

The National Capital Regional Office (NCRO) is located at Place Bell situated at 160 Elgin Street, an office complex in downtown Ottawa and next to the Rideau Canal and the Rideau Shopping Centre. This location offers easy access to restaurants, fitness facilities, walking/running paths and parks. We are conveniently located close to major bus routes making it easy to commute from all points across the city. The National Capital Regional Office (NCRO) is responsible for federal prosecutions in the East, Northwestern, and Northeastern regions of Ontario, as well as in judicial districts in western Quebec. The regional headquarters is located in Ottawa. The NCRO’s areas of prosecution focus are controlled drugs and substances; terrorism and national security; competition law; and other regulatory statutes.

The Ontario Regional Office (ORO) is responsible for federal prosecutions in southern and southwestern Ontario, from Windsor in the west to Trenton in the east, and northward to Georgian Bay and the districts encompassing Barrie, Lindsay, and Peterborough. The regional headquarters is located in Toronto, with local offices in Brampton, Kitchener, and London. The majority of the files handled in the ORO involved drug-related offences. Counsel also prosecute criminal organization, terrorism, and tax evasion offences, as well as offences under the Canada Elections Act and the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act.

Intent of the process

This process is anticipatory. A list of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates will be established from this process to staff positions in our Ontario offices, with varying tenures, and varying language requirements according to the position to be staffed. As such, we encourage all employees in the area of selection seeking this type of opportunity to apply.

The results of this staffing process may also be used to staff similar positions with various tenures, linguistic requirements, language profiles, and/or security requirements, as needs arise.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Essential Qualifications - Occupational Certification:
- Eligibility for membership in the Law Society of Ontario.

Essential Qualifications - Experience:
- Recent* experience in the conduct of criminal or quasi-criminal litigation.

Experience is associated with a broad range of criminal litigation over a three (3) year period.

*Recent refers to the experience obtained in the last five (5) years.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
- Experience appearing in the Ontario Superior Court, the Ontario Court of Justice or an equivalent court in relation to criminal litigation.
- Experience conducting litigation related to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and/or the Cannabis Act.
- Experience addressing Indigenous justice issues in a litigation or advisory capacity.
- Experience conducting jury trials.
- Experience in advising on investigations or in conducting litigation under any federal regulatory statute such as: the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; the Competition Act; the Copyright Act; Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act; the Customs Act; the Excise Act; the Fisheries Act; the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; or the Income Tax Act.
- Experience in complex* criminal litigation which has included one or more of the following: wiretap authorizations; organized crime or conspiracy charges; high volume and complex* disclosure management tasks; organizing, managing and presenting wiretap evidence.
- Experience advising on investigations or conducting litigation involving proceeds of crime charges or related applications.
- Experience in the conduct of Charter litigation (including sections 8, 9 and 24 (2)) and with search warrant litigation.
- Experience litigating issues relating to confidential informers.

* A complex case involves multiple issues, multiple partners/stakeholders and/or multiple impacts/risks.

If you indicate that you meet an asset experience and it is used during the process, you will be required to provide additional information to demonstrate how you meet this experience.

Organizational Needs:
- The organization is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. Qualified applicants who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and/or women may be selected for appointment to fulfill organizational needs.

Operational Requirements:
- Possession of a valid driver’s licence. Note: the licence class must, at a minimum, authorize the driver to drive a car, van or small truck, on all roads and highways without an accompanying driver.
- Requirement to travel which may include assignments on short notice and for extended periods.
- Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours which may include working evenings, nights and weekends based on operational needs.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

Various language requirements
English Essential
Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements

Essential Qualifications - Knowledge:
- Sound* knowledge of the role and practices of Crown Counsel in the conduct of criminal litigation in the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.
- Sound* knowledge of criminal law and procedures including knowledge of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms and its relevant case law.

*Sound is defined as being capable of fulfilling their duties with minimal direction based on thorough knowledge.

Essential Qualifications - Competencies:
- Specialized Skills and Knowledge (such as understanding one’s role, legal skills and legal knowledge)
- Professionalism (such as professional conduct, professional fortitude, service orientation and self assessment)
- Judgement (such as decision making, critical thinking, and adaptability)
- Practice Management (such as file management)
- Communicating effectively (such as verbally, in writing and by listening attentively)
- Interpersonal Relationships (such as building relationships and emotion management)
- Leadership (such as coaching and mentoring, influencing others and teamwork)

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:
- Security Clearance: Secret
- Member in good standing in the Bar of one of the provinces or territories of Canada.
- Must be a member, in good standing, of the Law Society of Ontario within 100 days of appointment.
- Applicants must be willing to be assigned to other types of work at the same group, level and tenure within the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Assignment of work may be made within or between the various teams of counsel within the office and will be based on operational considerations and will not require relocation of residence.
- All conditions of employment must be met and maintained by applicants throughout their tenure in the position.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.